covid mask styles

[redbird]

I wanted to go outside for a few minutes, while cattitude was headed for the bus stop. I grabbed a medical mask because they have ear loops, meaning I can put those on faster than my N95s with behind-the-head straps.*

It only took a few minutes to remind me of why I prefer the behind-the-head straps. applying vaseline behind my ears helps, but that would also have slowed me down a little bit.

Both the duckbill-style N95s I have now, and my KN95s, make a better seal against my face than either cloth masks those medical masks. This is basically a good thing, but has the disadvantage that I start feeling uncomfortable if I'm riding in a car while wearing one of those more effective, even with the windows open. When I was wearing the cloth or the medical masks, one tiny silver lining to the pandemic cloud was that nobody objected to me opening a car window.

From experience, larger vehicles are better than small--I'm not just trying to save people hassle when I decline someone's offer to drive me home so I won't have to take the bus. But given my questionable immune system, a Lyft car is lower-risk, in part because I won't be in the vehicle as long. (Trains are better than buses, but the only train in walking distance is the commuter rail to North Station or, in the other direction, Littleton.

*I specifically, this may not apply to people who aren't wearing glasses.

Comments

[otter]

I've started wearing N95s with elastic behind the head straps sometimes, but they are such a fuss because my long hair gets too easily tangled up. My winter hair 'style' is simply washed and brushed. Putting it up has been hard due to shoulder issues (before and after surgery), but with warmer temps, and improved range of motion, getting my hair managed for mask wearing should be easier.

[frith]

I combine a N95 mask with the elastic straps cut off with a cloth mask. The N95 gives me the tight fit and the cloth mask makes it easier to put on and remove. I wash and reuse N95 masks. The straps on the cloth mask still tangle with my glasses, can make my ears sore and interfere with my winter cap. If you feel that a N95 interferes with your desire to open a window, camouflaging it under a cloth mask might help.